Healthy ParticipantsNCT07837661
Prefrontal Hemodynamics and Working Memory After Exhaustive Aquatic Exercise
A study testing Incremental Exhaustive Aquatic Stepping Exercise in people with Healthy Participants, run by Manisa Celal Bayar University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study compared prefrontal cortex hemodynamics and working memory performance following exhaustive aquatic exercise between endurance athletes and physically active individuals. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy Participants
- What is being tested?
- Incremental Exhaustive Aquatic Stepping Exercise
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 22 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Feb 2026to 12 Jun 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Healthy males aged 18-30 years.
- Endurance athletes or physically active individuals according to the study's predefined group criteria.
- Able to perform the aquatic stepping exercise protocol and complete the 2-back working memory task.
- Provided written informed consent to participate.
Who cannot join
- Presence of cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, metabolic, musculoskeletal, or psychiatric conditions that could affect exercise performance or cognitive assessment.
- Use of medications or substances that could influence cognitive function, cardiovascular responses, or exercise tolerance.
- Inability to safely perform the aquatic exercise protocol or complete the study procedures.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Manisa Celal Bayar University, Faculty of Sport Sciences, PERFORMS Laboratory
Manisa, 45040
About this study
Official title: Prefrontal Cortex Hemodynamics and Working Memory After Exhaustive Aquatic Exercise in Endurance Athletes and Physically Active Controls: an fNIRS Study
This study compared prefrontal cortex hemodynamics and working memory performance following exhaustive aquatic exercise between endurance athletes and physically active individuals. Twenty-two healthy male participants aged 18-30 years, including 10 endurance athletes and 12 physically active controls, completed an incremental stepping exercise to exhaustion during head-out water immersion. The exercise was performed on a 20-cm step at xiphoid-level water depth, with cadence beginning at 18 steps/min and increasing by 2 steps/min every 30 seconds. Approximately 5 minutes after exercise, participants completed a seated 2-back working memory task while prefrontal cortex hemodynamic responses were assessed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Cognitive performance and prefrontal hemodynamic responses were compared between the two groups.
- Conditions
- Healthy Participants
- Being tested
- Incremental Exhaustive Aquatic Stepping Exercise
- Keywords
- Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, Prefrontal Cortex, Working Memory, 2-Back Task, Aquatic Exercise, Cerebral Hemodynamics
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Incremental Exhaustive Aquatic Stepping ExerciseOther
Participants performed stepping exercise on a 20-cm step during head-out water immersion at approximately xiphoid depth and approximately 30 °C water temperature. The protocol began at 18 steps/min, with cadence increasing by 2 steps/min every 30 seconds, and continued until exhaustion.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Endurance Athletes | Experimental | Endurance athletes completed an incremental exhaustive aquatic stepping exercise protocol, followed approximately 5 minutes later by a seated 2-back working memory task with prefrontal fNIRS assessment. Receives: Other: Incremental Exhaustive Aquatic Stepping Exercise |
| Physically Active Controls | Experimental | Physically active controls completed the same incremental exhaustive aquatic stepping exercise protocol, followed approximately 5 minutes later by a seated 2-back working memory task with prefrontal fNIRS assessment. Receives: Other: Incremental Exhaustive Aquatic Stepping Exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Prefrontal Oxygenated Hemoglobin (HbO) During the 2-Back Task
Whole-prefrontal oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) was assessed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during the post-exercise 2-back task. HbO represents a baseline-referenced relative concentration change referenced to the 30-s post-exercise pre-task resting baseline and averaged across the five 2-back blocks.
Measured: During the 2-back task beginning 5 minutes after exercise cessation
Prefrontal Deoxygenated Hemoglobin (HbR) During the 2-Back Task
Whole-prefrontal deoxygenated hemoglobin (HbR) was assessed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during the post-exercise 2-back task. HbR represents a baseline-referenced relative concentration change referenced to the 30-s post-exercise pre-task resting baseline and averaged across the five 2-back blocks.
Measured: During the 2-back task beginning 5 minutes after exercise cessation
Correct Responses During the 2-Back Task
Number of correct responses (hits) to target trials during the 2-back working memory task, pooled across five blocks.
Measured: During the 2-back task beginning 5 minutes after exercise cessation
Incorrect Responses During the 2-Back Task
Number of incorrect responses (false alarms) to non-target trials during the 2-back working memory task, pooled across five blocks.
Measured: During the 2-back task beginning 5 minutes after exercise cessation
Reaction Time for Correct Responses During the 2-Back Task
Reaction time, in seconds, for correct responses (hits) during the 2-back working memory task, pooled across five blocks.
Measured: During the 2-back task beginning 5 minutes after exercise cessation
Secondary outcomes (1)
Prefrontal Total Hemoglobin (HbT) During the 2-Back Task
Whole-prefrontal total hemoglobin (HbT), calculated as HbO + HbR, was assessed during the post-exercise 2-back task. HbT represents a secondary derived, baseline-referenced relative concentration change referenced to the 30-s post-exercise pre-task resting baseline and averaged across the five 2-back blocks.
Measured: During the 2-back task beginning 5 minutes after exercise cessation
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Sep 2026
- Study start1 Feb 2026
- Primary completion12 Jun 2026
- Study completion12 Jun 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Healthy ParticipantsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants were classified as endurance athletes or physically active controls based on their pre-existing training status. Both groups completed the same incremental exhaustive aquatic stepping exercise protocol; participants were not assigned to groups by the investigators.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 22 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Manisa Celal Bayar University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07837661
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 3784
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 18 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 25 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Prefrontal Cortex Hemodynamics and Working Memory After Exhaustive Aquatic Exercise in Endurance Athletes and Physically Active Controls: an fNIRS Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07837661
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 3784
- Conditions
- Healthy Participants
- Keywords
- Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, Prefrontal Cortex, Working Memory, 2-Back Task, Aquatic Exercise, Cerebral Hemodynamics
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 22 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Manisa Celal Bayar UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 12 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 12 Jun 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 23 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study compared prefrontal cortex hemodynamics and working memory performance following exhaustive aquatic exercise between endurance athletes and physically active individuals. Twenty-two healthy male participants aged 18-30 years, including 10 endurance athletes and 12 physically active controls, completed an incremental stepping exercise to exhaustion during head-out water immersion. The exercise was performed on a 20-cm step at xiphoid-level water depth, with cadence beginning at 18 steps/min and increasing by 2 steps/min every 30 seconds. Approximately 5 minutes after exercise, participants completed a seated 2-back working memory task while prefrontal cortex hemodynamic responses were assessed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Cognitive performance and prefrontal hemodynamic responses were compared between the two groups.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants were classified as endurance athletes or physically active controls based on their pre-existing training status. Both groups completed the same incremental exhaustive aquatic stepping exercise protocol; participants were not assigned to groups by the investigators.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Endurance Athletes | Experimental | Other: Incremental Exhaustive Aquatic Stepping ExerciseEndurance athletes completed an incremental exhaustive aquatic stepping exercise protocol, followed approximately 5 minutes later by a seated 2-back working memory task with prefrontal fNIRS assessment. |
| Physically Active Controls | Experimental | Other: Incremental Exhaustive Aquatic Stepping ExercisePhysically active controls completed the same incremental exhaustive aquatic stepping exercise protocol, followed approximately 5 minutes later by a seated 2-back working memory task with prefrontal fNIRS assessment. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Healthy males aged 18-30 years.
- Endurance athletes or physically active individuals according to the study's predefined group criteria.
- Able to perform the aquatic stepping exercise protocol and complete the 2-back working memory task.
- Provided written informed consent to participate.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Presence of cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, metabolic, musculoskeletal, or psychiatric conditions that could affect exercise performance or cognitive assessment.
- Use of medications or substances that could influence cognitive function, cardiovascular responses, or exercise tolerance.
- Inability to safely perform the aquatic exercise protocol or complete the study procedures.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Incremental Exhaustive Aquatic Stepping ExerciseParticipants performed stepping exercise on a 20-cm step during head-out water immersion at approximately xiphoid depth and approximately 30 °C water temperature. The protocol began at 18 steps/min, with cadence increasing by 2 steps/min every 30 seconds, and continued until exhaustion. | Other | Endurance Athletes, Physically Active Controls |
Primary outcome
Prefrontal Oxygenated Hemoglobin (HbO) During the 2-Back Task
Time frame: During the 2-back task beginning 5 minutes after exercise cessation
Whole-prefrontal oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) was assessed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during the post-exercise 2-back task. HbO represents a baseline-referenced relative concentration change referenced to the 30-s post-exercise pre-task resting baseline and averaged across the five 2-back blocks.
Prefrontal Deoxygenated Hemoglobin (HbR) During the 2-Back Task
Time frame: During the 2-back task beginning 5 minutes after exercise cessation
Whole-prefrontal deoxygenated hemoglobin (HbR) was assessed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during the post-exercise 2-back task. HbR represents a baseline-referenced relative concentration change referenced to the 30-s post-exercise pre-task resting baseline and averaged across the five 2-back blocks.
Correct Responses During the 2-Back Task
Time frame: During the 2-back task beginning 5 minutes after exercise cessation
Number of correct responses (hits) to target trials during the 2-back working memory task, pooled across five blocks.
Incorrect Responses During the 2-Back Task
Time frame: During the 2-back task beginning 5 minutes after exercise cessation
Number of incorrect responses (false alarms) to non-target trials during the 2-back working memory task, pooled across five blocks.
Reaction Time for Correct Responses During the 2-Back Task
Time frame: During the 2-back task beginning 5 minutes after exercise cessation
Reaction time, in seconds, for correct responses (hits) during the 2-back working memory task, pooled across five blocks.
1 secondary outcome
Prefrontal Total Hemoglobin (HbT) During the 2-Back Task
Time frame: During the 2-back task beginning 5 minutes after exercise cessation
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 25 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Incremental Exhaustive Aquatic Stepping Exercise in people with Healthy Participants, run by Manisa Celal Bayar University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 25 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Prefrontal Oxygenated Hemoglobin (HbO) During the 2-Back Task (time frame: During the 2-back task beginning 5 minutes after exercise cessation). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 25 Sep 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 31 Oct 2026.